Drum News

River Guerguerian has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic and versatile percussion for over 30 years, and has performed and recorded with such groups as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tan Dun, Tibetan Singing Bowl Ensemble, Paul Winter Consort, Chuck Berry, Sophie B. Hawkins, The Billy Sea and Ziggy Marley/Gipsy Kings. He also co-founded the world jazz group Free Planet Radio and Talujon Percussion Ensemble. The music on his new CD, Grooves for Odd Times, represents a body of work that spans five years. This time period includes: 1) composing music for solo and mixed ensembles, 2) performing with inspiring artists, 3) recording/archiving the process of these creative cells.

"The inspiration for Grooves for Odd Times was to create a sonic palette in the same way a painter might approach canvas," River explains. "The album's roots are heavy grooves mixed in with the lyrical side of percussion. There is a dance in the odd time rhythmic structures."

River has performed in many prestigious venues and places worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, Madrid International Jazz Festival, Barbican Hall (London), World Music Sufi Festival (New Delhi), Jerusalem Hall (Jerusalem), Edinburgh International Festival (Scotland) and even the White House! River received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory, and has recorded on over 150 albums and film soundtracks. He also creates music for the purpose of meditation. His passion is researching the scientific effects of sound on the mind and body. River travels the world conducting Sound Exploration and Rhythm Workshops for people of all ages, and is Director of Music at the Creative Technology and Arts Center in Asheville, North Carolina.

Whether playing with word-class symphonies or studio musicians, partnering with Grammy-award winning composers, or creating dynamic plays of rhythm for his own projects, River's passion and attention to the vibrant life off the drum reverberates throughout the crowd. "I will be doing many performances in the southeast area and some in the NYC area collaborating with composers for the Aaron Copeland School of Music at the City University in New York," says River.